 |
|
The latest Newsletter is available for downloadSee details by clicking the Home link. |
July 2002 Canada Outbound
Arriving in Buffalo, the first familiar face we saw was that of Laurie Ann Scott. She and Larry had arrived earlier, as had Dean and Rita Pressnall, from Wichita, Ks. With the addition of these four people, all nineteen ambassadors were assembled and ready to meet our Canadian hosts. At the baggage carousel we met Elaine Reimers and husband Rudy, the inbound exchange directors. When we crossed the border we were asked to get off the bus and go into a building where they took our passports and scanned them onto a computer screen. We arrived in St. Catharine’s, Canada, a city of approximately 13,000, at the home of Dave and Joyce Stares, where all of our hosts had gathered to await our arrival and warmly welcome us. Pictures were taken of each ambassador with their hosts and we enjoyed wine, cheese, crackers, fruits and other delicious foods, after which we were taken to our respective hosts’ homes. On Friday, June 14, we spent the day at Niagara Falls, with Bob Rouble as our guide for the day. From the Skylon Tower, we viewed both the American Falls and the Canadian Falls, with the latter much larger and more spectacular. Activities for the rest of the day included the IMAX theater, walking in the mist along the Falls and the even wetter ride on the Maid of the Mist boat, which took us close to the American Falls and right into the horseshoe of the Canadian Falls. There it became very apparent why the Native Americans called the Falls “The Thunder God.” Even with our blue plastic raincoats, which covered us from head to ankle, we were damp, but not our spirits. After a visit to the glass-blowing shop, we participated in small group dinners or barbecues that evening. On Sat. June 15, we assembled near Crawford Lake, located on the Niagara Escarpment, where scientists come from all over the world to study samples drawn from the sediment of this lake. We followed a board walk along the lake’s edge to view the flora and fauna of the area, after which we entered the reconstructed area of an actual Iroquoian settlement, followed by a picnic lunch. A tour of Dundurn Castle, built in about 1855 by Allan MacNab, Prime Minister of Western Canada, completed the day’s outing. In the evening everyone participated in a “Guess Who's Coming to Dinner” event. We didn't know who our hosts or other guests were until we arrived for a delicious dinner and enjoyable evening of conversation. Sunday was Father’s Day and a free day to go to church and/or meet our hosts’ families. I accompanied my hostess, Elaine, to St. Catharine’s United Mennonite Church where services are conducted in both German and English. We attended the English service, but the bulletin was printed in both languages. My hosts had purchased a passport card which entitled the three of us to visit 10 wineries, but time only allowed us to make it to 5 of them. The Niagara Escarpment is a long, low ridge with a steep face on one side and a long, gentle slope on the other. The microclimate created here, along with the rich sediment left by the receding waters of Lake Ontario, has helped the Niagara Region gain international prestige for their fine wines. A new experience was tasting ice wine, which is made from grapes that freeze on the vine at just the right temperature. Monday, June 17, we were treated to a boat ride on the S.S.Pumper, North America’s only woo d-fired, steam tour boat. The trip took us from the Niagara River out onto Lake Ontario where we were afforded an excellent view of Fort Niagara, an American fort situated on the edge of Lake Ontario where the river flows into the Lake. Following the boat ride we were led on a walking tour of historic Niagara-on-the-Lake. The town was settled at the end of the American Revolution by refugees fleeing the newly emerging republic of the United States. It was chosen as the first capital of the province and became a battlefield during the War of 1812. We heard much about the War of 1812 and were laughingly reminded that at one time we Canadians and Americans were enemies. Niagara-on-the-Lake is home to the well-known Shaw Theatre, art galleries, and many historic buildings dating back to the early 1800’s. That evening we had a catered meal at Queenston Park, site of a famous battle, the first to be won by the British. The impressive Brock’s Monument stands 56 metres high, reminiscent of Nelson’s Column in London, but higher. The victory at Queenston Heights made it seem possible that British North America might withstand an American invasion. The evening was completed by taking an exciting ride on the Spanish Aero Car across the Whirlpool Gorge, downriver from Niagara Falls and ascending the 50 story Scanlon Tower to view the wondrous sight of Niagara Falls at night with changing, colored lights illuminating mist and water. Tuesday, June 18, 2002- A sunny day at last after several days of rain as we boarded our chartered bus to St. Jacob’s Market and Mennonite country about 65 miles west of St. Catharine’s. At the Farmer’s Market, Lincoln Ambassadors wandered through arts, crafts, and food displays in a large barn-like structure and purchased Canadian made items, such as maple sugar candy and syrup and enjoyed eating hot dogs, sausages, and delicious apple fritters warm from the stove. In the town of St. Jacobs we viewed a film about the Mennonites of Ontario, their lifestyle and beliefs. We saw Mennonite women dressed in long dresses and lace caps, the men in dark clothing and if lucky, a horse-drawn wagon of the plain, box style. That evening was our turn to treat our hosts to dinner at the Mandarin Restaurant in Burlington. They had arranged for all of us to treat them at the same restaurant in our own private dining room, which afforded a good opportunity for photos of ambassadors with their hosts. Wed. June 19, our last day of homestay. Mid morning we proceeded to Lock 3 Viewing Center & Museum for the Welland Canal. This eight-lock canal connects Lake Erie to Lake Ontario and was built to bypass Niagara Falls and the rapids. While we lunched at Frado’s Restaurant, on the Canal, we saw the lift bridge raise for several sail boats but no large ships. We later learned that the lock activity was held up because a deer had fallen into the canal and had to be rescued. In the afternoon we gathered at Creekside Estate Winery, where 600 barrels of wine are stored in the 2400-square-foot underground cellar. After a tour of the cellar we were met by Ray Konkle, the Mayor of the town of Lincoln, Ontario, Canada. He was anxious to meet Ambassadors from Lincoln, NE and welcomed us to the region. Each of us were presented lapel pins, as well as certificates from John D. Maloney, Member of the Canadian Parliament, who represented Erie-Lincoln. In turn we presented him with a key to the city of Lincoln, Nebraska along with greetings from Lincoln’s Mayor Don Wesley. After a delicious Farewell Dinner at the Eagle Valley Golf Club, each host introduced their guest ambassadors and club gifts were exchanged. The Lincoln/Wichita clubs presented a skit, consisting of songs, poetry and the use of a bandana handkerchief, in which they related some specific shared remembrance and demonstrated one use of a bandana. Lastly, the Canadians and Americans formed a circle, joined hands and sang the official Friendship Force song, “Let There Be Peace On Earth” and finally“Auld Lang Syne”. The Friendship Force of Niagara, Canada knocked themselves out to provide us with a week of informative, fun-filled events that increased our knowledge of their area, including historical and cultural facts. But their warmth and friendliness is what we will long remember as we boarded our tour bus Thursday at 6:45 AM and looked back at their smiling faces as they waved us on our way, not goodbye but “until we meet again.” |
©2008 Friendship Force of Lincoln. All Rights Reserved. |
|
n June 13th, 15 of us gathered at the Lincoln Airport, excited that the day of departure had finally arrived for our exchange to Niagara, Canada. Fran Kess was picked to be randomly searched in Lincoln. After a short flight to Minneapolis we were shuttled from Concourse A to Concourse C where our flight to Buffalo, New York was already boarding. Here, Lois Parrott was pulled aside to be randomly checked.